Wilmer Valderrama talks about fez and fatherhood in “An American Story”

Wilmer Valderrama may have become famous as a flamboyant foreigner, but he is a proud American.

Valderrama, who broke out in the role of Fez in the nostalgic teen sitcom That '70s Show, looks back on his incredible journey from Venezuelan immigrant to American TV star in his debut memoir, An American Story: Everyone's Invited (Harper Select, 245 pages, out now).

The 44-year-old actor landed the role of Fez, an exchange student known for his eccentric accent, at age 18, making him “the only Latino in a leading role on the Fox network” at the time.

“I'm proud that he was so colorless. I'm proud that this character was able to make so many different people from so many different stages of life laugh,” says Valderrama. “Because as a Latino and as a person of color, our dream is to be out there in the world and to be treated equally and accepted as a contributing member of whatever team, company or show we're on.”

Valderrama didn't leave his Latin American roots behind when he broke into Hollywood. He says his Venezuelan and Colombian background helped him stand out from his fellow actors and also shaped the characters he played.

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“My heritage was my refuge,” says Valderrama. “I never had to be anyone else. I didn't have to look like anyone else. I didn't have to sound like anyone else. I just found my voice thanks to my culture.”